Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Penny Wise, Pound Foolish, Part MCMLX

Listening to WCCO this morning, I learned that Hormel is doing better than expected in part due to strong sales of SPAM. Now while I understand that SPAM has been traditionally a staple for a low cost diet, I don't know that (at over $2/can, over $3/lb) it's really that inexpensive a meat. Yes, it keeps well, but given what it does to one's health, I think it clearly falls into the "penny wise, pound foolish" category.

Also, if you're bummed about never joining a fraternity, consider the Sigma Pi Alpha Mu "mosey" this year. All you have to do to join is come up with a ludicrous sounding title for yourself, and you can be the official (ludicrous sounding title) of the "SPAMmies."

No need to buy your friends or drink yourself to death to go "Greek." You don't even need to eat this junk. No embarrassing initiation ceremonies, raucous parties until the wee hours, or even criminal investigations. Just the sheer pride of belonging to the nation's premier four letter fraternity.

I'm the emperor of Sigma Pi Alpha Mu, and I approved this message.

11 comments:

Elspeth said...

You know, when I read about the increase in SPAM sales, my thoughts were the same as yours. Not only isn't it frugal in the truest sense, it's unhealthy.

Of course, if a large number of people think a repeat of the Great Depression, or worse, is just around the corner, a few cans of SPAM might not be the worst thing to have stored away in the pantry.

Gino said...

during my hard times, spam was too expensive.
turkey hot dogs or eggs were the answer.

Anonymous said...

I think the reason Spam is considered cheap (in the short term sense) is that you can't stand to eat much of it. Seriously. It's a way to ingest protein that won't tempt to you eat more than you can afford of it. Nobody wants a juicy 8-oz slab of grilled Spam.

Not that I recommend it for economizing for all the above-mentioned reason. Eggs, as Gino mentions, and dried beans, are far superior and more efficient means.

Bike Bubba said...

Hmmmm....I think I'll go with dried beans and eggs over SPAM should we hit the next depression. Not quite sure about the turkey dogs, though--somehow I can eat about a dozen of them before I even start to feel full.

Special kudos to Pentamom for helping me with my diet. Nothing says "let's wait a while for lunch" like the concept of an 8 ounce slab of SPAM.

Mr. D said...

Never did buy SPAM. Gino's right about the right things to buy when you're hurting - back in the day eggs were dirt cheap.

And when it gets really bad, Ramen noodles are the best deal going. Meal for a quarter, even still.

Mark said...

Scramble an egg, throw it in the Ramen, add some Tabasco to the "flavor" packet. Yum!

W.B. Picklesworth said...

I declare myself the Quality Control Engineer of the Sigma Pi Alpha Mu. I hereby declare that I'm doing a lousy job. Maybe I'll get promoted to CEO of Gamma Mu?

Bike Bubba said...

I think the position of incompetent CEO at Gamma Mu is already filled, sad to say. On the other hand, if a bailout proceeds, they could use a "CEO that makes the current regime seem competent.

Maybe when the current CEO of Alpha Mu Theta Rho Alpha Kappa resigns? Welcome to SPAM anyways.

Anonymous said...

"AMTHRAK?"

I think you meant Alpha Mu TAU Rho Alpha Kappa.

I'm happy being the COO of Theta Epsilon, Eta Omicron Upsilon Sigma Epsilon. Otherwise known as Mu Omicron Mu.

Bike Bubba said...

See, that's why the SPAMMies need a quality control guy.

Anonymous said...

Mmmm. Spam, sliced thin and fried extra crispy, on toast with a swipe of mayo and lettuce...ambrosia! Haven't had it for years, but I don't turn my nose up at it.

My secret recipe for the "3-days to payday grocery blues" was refried bean sandwiches. Refried beans make a hearty sandwich spread and in the day I could get four cans of Rosarita Refrieds for a buck at the warehouse store. Put them on toast with a shot of French's mustard and those growls in the stomach would turn into a gentle purr!